Over the last month, the New Castle County Division of Police has received multiple reports and is investigating several jury duty scams.

Victims are being contacted by phone, text, and email claiming they missed jury duty and now face failure-to-appear or contempt-of-court charges. Scammers pose as law enforcement officers and threaten arrest or jail if money is not sent immediately.

If someone is demanding payment in gift cards, Bitcoin, or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest, it’s a scam. Courts do not accept payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency—only official court procedures and paperwork apply.

Remember: law enforcement and court officials will NEVER demand payment over the phone, by text, by email, via gift cards, or in cryptocurrency.

If you receive a suspicious message, do not engage and report it to your local police agency.

If you believe you missed legitimate jury duty, contact the New Castle County Jury Services Office directly at (302) 255-0824 or jurynewcastle@delaware.gov.

(Newark, DE 19713) On Friday, May 15, 2026, at approximately 10:20 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the unit block of Marrows Road in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers learned that 31-year-old Oliver Cephas Jr. had forcibly entered the business and physically confronted an individual. During the incident, Cephas also damaged the tires of another individual’s vehicle before returning to the business and attempting to gain entry a second time. After damaging the business’s door, Cephas forced his way inside, assaulted the individual, stole property, and fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.

As responding officers arrived in the area, another officer observed Cephas operating a pickup truck and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. Cephas refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed, eventually escaping from the officer’s sight.

The investigation was subsequently turned over to detectives assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, Detectives located Cephas on Cedar Street in Wilmington and took him into custody. Cephas was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• Two felony counts of disregarding a police officer’s signal
• One felony count of Burglary in the Second Degree
• One misdemeanor count of assault in the third degree
• Two misdemeanor counts of Criminal Mischief over $1,000
• One misdemeanor count of Theft Under $1,500
• One misdemeanor count of resisting arrest

Oliver Cephas, Jr., was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $24,000.00 cash bail.

Oliver Cephas, Jr. – 31

As the weather warms up, we continue to see an increase in ATV and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) activity.

Please remember that Delaware law regulates the use of ATVs and OHVs, and all riders are expected to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly.

⚠️ ATVs and OHVs are designed for off-road use only. Operating them on public roadways, sidewalks, and rights-of-way is dangerous and illegal.

📊 According to injury prevention research, more than 60% of ATV-related fatalities occur on public roads.

📞 To report illegal ATV/OHV use, please call our non-emergency line at (302) 573-2800. When reporting, please provide the location, vehicle description, and rider information if available.

🚨 The New Castle County Division of Police will be implementing strict enforcement. Violators will be cited, and ATVs/OHVs operated illegally may be towed at the owner’s expense.

For more information, visit: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c068/index.html